In conversation: Cosmic detectives

05 July 2026 11:00 - 11:40 The Royal Society Free
Book tickets

This event is part of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2026.

How do we observe the universe? Researchers use telescopes both here on Earth and in outer space to uncover some of the universe’s greatest mysteries.

Join the teams behind Euclid, the dark universe detective and Revealing the cosmos with the Simons Observatory as they discuss how they explore the history and composition of the universe.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Will Coulton – Ernest Rutherford Fellow in the Department of Physics, University of Oxford, who explores novel ways of using our observations to learn about our Universe
  • Professor Andy Taylor – Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh who leads the Weak Lensing Cosmic Shear Team for ESA’s Euclid Satellite Dark Energy Mission
  • Professor Lucie Green (Chair) – Professor of Physics based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory and author of 15 Million Degrees: A Journey to the Centre of the Sun and soon to be published The Universe in Your Pocket

Attending the event

This event will be held in Theatre 1 at the Royal Society on Sunday 5 July 2026, 11am – 11.40am.

  • Free to attend as part of Summer Science Exhibition on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to seat availability. We recommend that visitors arrive 10-15 minutes before the session
  • Eventbrite tickets for Summer Science Exhibition are recommended, with only a limited number of walk-up tickets released on the day
  • Suitable for students aged 14+
  • This talk will take place in person
  • A recording of this talk will be available later on the Royal Society YouTube channel
  • Live subtitles will be available
  • Travel and accessibility information and details on planning your visit - contact us directly to arrange any specific accessibility requirements
  • Food and drink will be available for purchase at our onsite café

For all enquiries, please email us.